Winnie, the recently arrived rhesus macaque retired from research, continues to do well. She has settled into her new life and is certainly enjoying the fresh and varied fruit and vegetables we are providing her. She patiently sits and watches if monkeys in the nearby enclosures are fed before her, taking a keen interest in what is going on, vocalizing as if to tell me that she is still waiting.
[teaserbreak]
Because of the rapport Winnie had established with the three long-tailed macaques in the enclosure next to her, we felt confident in enabling her to join them even though she had only be with us for a little over a week. Our instinct was right. As soon as we opened the door, Joshua came right through to greet her and within minutes Winnie was lying on her side being groomed by Joshua. It was wonderful to watch, two monkeys who had spent most of their lives in laboratory cages enjoying each other and their new freedom as they lay in the sun grooming and relaxing. It wasn’t long before all the long-tails greeted Winnie and the four have become a strong social group with regular grooming and eating sessions.
Sarah